Terrorism, political upheaval, mass murders, world-wide pandemic, mass migration, racial strife, discord in global politics, depression era economy, mass poverty, the #Me too movement, financial oligarchies, and mass hunger. The years 2020-2022 have felt like our entire societal structures were crumbling beneath our very feet. We have entered an age of disruption. Yet the possibility of profound personal, societal, and global renewal has never been more real. We need leadership with a global perspective. We need a different type of leader and leadership. Otto Scharmer said in his book, Leading from the Emerging Future, \u201cThis is the moment when what we need most is enough people with the skill, heart, and wisdom to help us pull ourselves back from the edge of breakdown and onto a different path.\u201d1 Maybe the type of global leader that has skill, heart, and wisdom to lead us into the 21st century and beyond is the leader who is known as \u201cA Healer?\u201d <\/p>\n
This week, I enjoyed reading Peter G. Northouse\u2019s book, Leadership: Theory & Practice. It provides a comprehensive exploration of leadership theories, styles, and practical applications. It has a balanced approach, covering both historical perspectives and contemporary leadership theories. My ninth edition was written in 2022, which means the world was already in an upheaval with so much hatred, emotional pain, job loss, anger with the government and the other political party, etc. Yet, nothing in Northouse\u2019s book is mentioned about a new kind of leader who is needed in our world: The Healer. The healer is a style all by itself and yet can be incorporated in all of Northouse\u2019s styles. Why? Because our societal structures are crumbling beneath our feet. Our world needs leaders who have dealt with their shadow side, because our \u201csuffering hollows us out, tears at veils of spiritual persona, smashes religious idols, and ultimately leaves us bereft.\u201d2 As this leader continues to face her shadow, issues, she becomes more vulnerable and authentic. This \u201cgenerates engagement and fulfillment for their employees, delight and loyalty for their customers, positive contributions to their communities and to the environment.\u201d3 <\/p>\n
Even though Northouse did not include the leader as a healer, his book, \u201cprovides an in-depth description and application of many different approaches to leadership.\u201d4 His definition of leadership is excellent and lays a great foundation for the book, \u201cLeadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.\u201d5 Also according to Northouse there are various theories of leadership that explain what makes a proper leader. A few are:<\/p>\n
The trait approach to leadership posits that leaders possess a set of qualities that separates them from followers. According to this theory, leaders are born, not built.
\nAnother theory is the skills approach. According to this view, leadership isn\u2019t innate, it\u2019s earned. The skills approach emphasizes that leaders learn and develop attributes that allow them to influence others.
\nThe behavioral approach suggests leaders use two kinds of behavior to influence others: task behaviors and relationship behaviors.
\nThe situational approach to leadership emphasizes that circumstances dictate a leader\u2019s style. To be effective, leaders must adapt to the situation they encounter.
\nThe other leadership theories emphasized how the leader influences the followers, but nothing was mentioned how the leader is a healer to her followers. <\/p>\n
For the next few chapters Northouse discusses leadership styles such as:<\/p>\n
Transformational leadership is about changing people for the better, not just meeting goals.
\nAuthentic leadership derives from the transparency of the leader.
\nFor authentic leadership, transparency is crucial. Followers have to trust the leader is genuine in their intentions.
\nServant leadership prioritizes the best interests of the followers. Servant leadership flips the typical leadership model on its head. It\u2019s about putting the interests of the followers above those of the leader. According to this view, the best way to lead is to help followers reach their potential. <\/p>\n
To end his book Northouse argues what separates destructive leaders from productive leaders is ethics \u2014 the morals and values they practice and promote. \u201cIn regard to leadership, ethics is concerned with what leaders do and who leaders are.\u201d6 Christian leaders have no problem believing ethics are important and necessary because they are! But…in this age of disruption, how ethical is it, when a leader has staff members, employees, co-workers who have hidden pain from wayward children, divorce, abuse, financial struggles, anger issues, marital problems, anxiety, depression, unhealed wounds, and the list goes on. The leader as healer cares about the pain of those he influences and intentionally has core values such as:<\/p>\n
1.\tPartnering with a counseling agency to provide 2 or 3 free counseling sessions for those who need it.
\n2.\tProviding different types of mental health workshops.
\n3.\tEmbodying empathy as she listens to others pain.
\n4.\tEncouraging employees to make a difference in the community through service.
\n5.\tEngage and collaborate with every employee to hear their concerns and challenges as a real person.
\n6.\tPeople over profit.
\n7.\tEncourage emotional growth through training.
\n8.\tBeing skilled in deep listening
\n9.\tEmbody hope, healing, and restoration as a company<\/p>\n
No matter what leadership theory or style is presented, being a healer in the 21st century has to be at the top. <\/p>\n
1.\tOtto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer. Leading from the Emerging Future, 3.
\n2.\tConnie Zweig. Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path, 113.
\n3.\tRaj Sisodia and Michael J. Gelb. The Healing Organization, 20.
\n4.\tPeter G. Northouse. Leadership: Theory and Practice, 2.
\n5.\tIbid, 6.
\n6.\tIbid, 423.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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